Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Cross-country relocations like Spokane Valley, WA β Cedar Rapids, IA cover 1543 mi and about 26h 50m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1543 mi Β· 26h 50m by car Β· IA β MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, IA 27 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.346 to 88.963, putting Cedar Rapids roughly 11.3% below Spokane Valley on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Cedar Rapids: 11.3% below Spokane Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.32 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1543 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 50.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1543 mi and the route typically takes 26h 50m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 11.3% lower than Spokane Valley (88.963 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.